GANDHARA

Gandhara, historical region in what is now northwestern Pakistan, corresponding to the Vale of Peshawar and having extensions into the lower valleys of the Kābul and Swāt rivers.

In ancient times Gandhara was a trade crossroads and cultural meeting place between India, Central Asia, and the Middle East. The region was subject to Achaemenian Persia in the 6th and 5th centuries BCE and was conquered by Alexander the Great in the 4th century BCE. It was thereafter ruled by the Mauryan dynasty of India, under whom it became a centre for the spread of Buddhism to Afghanistan and Central Asia. Gandhara was then successively ruled by Indo-Greeks, Shakas, Parthians, and Kushans. After its conquest by Maḥmūd of Ghazna in the 11th century CE, the region was held by various Muslim dynasties.

Taxila and Peshawar, ancient Gandhara’s chief cities, were important cultural centres. From the 1st century BCE to the 6th–7th century CE, Gandhara was the home of a distinctive art style that was a mixture of Indian Buddhist and Greco-Roman influences. See Gandhara art.

DAYS ITINERARY RESVERATION
Day1 Upon arrival at Lahore airport Meet, assist and Overnight in Lahore. (No meals) Hotel
Day2 Breakfast at the hotel AM sightseeing of Lahore PM drive to Rawalpindi Short city tour of Rawalpindi Bazaar Arrive and Overnight in Rawalpindi/Islamabad. Hotel
Day3 After breakfast proceed for city tour of Islamabad Drive to Swat en-route visiting Taxila sights and museum Arrive and Overnight in Swat. Hotel
Day4 Breakfast at the hotel. Proceed for full day sightseeing of Swat Valley Overnight at the hotel. Hotel
Day5 After breakfast drive to Peshawar en route visiting Takht-E-Bhai Continue drive to Peshawar Arrive and Overnight in Peshawar. Hotel
Day6 Breakfast at the hotel AM proceed for Khyber Pass excursion PM city sightseeing of Peshawar Hotel
Day7 Drive to Lahore en-route visiting Jalalpur Arrive and Overnight in Lahore Hotel
Day8 Breakfast at the hotel Morning city tour of Lahore After sightseeing transfer to Lahore airport for your home bound flight Hotel